Slipping Once On Ice Is Unlucky But Not Getting Checked Out After Is A Second Slip Up!

With the recent cold snap we were all left taking tentative steps, for some the result was a crash down to earth. I saw 2 people do it myself. A fall onto one’s derriere at speed causes damage to the ligaments of the sacro-iliac joint and lower lumbar vertebrae.

In fact cadaver studies(1) show that as many as 20% have sustained damage to the lumbar interspinous ligaments that support the lumbar vertebrae.

This leads to increased motion at those levels and eventually disc degeneration and facet joint hypertrophy due to increased stress on these structures. The result down the line is possible nerve impingement and sciatica or in long standing cases stenosis (a narrowing of the central canal that the nerves run through).

These conditions can require surgery to prevent nerve damage, but in most cases people just have to accept that they can only walk a hundred yards or so before needing to sit and rest due to the cramp like pains they get in the calfs. Stenosis can also lead to bladder and bowel problems in old age.

Do you know someone like this? Do you know someone who’s slipped on the ice? Help them achieve a better old age by pointing them in the right direction. Fix it now and these issues can be reduced.

References:

1: Rissanen, P.M.(1960)The surgical anatomy and pathology of the supraspinous and interspinous ligaments of the lumbar spine with special reference to ligament ruptures. Acta Orthop Second, (Suppl.46)